Rapid facelift could up its fortunes

The new Skoda Rapid is technically only a facelift but the changes go beyond cosmetic touches and gives the car much needed freshness in design.

Despite its positives, Rapid’s sales have been tumbling over the years partly because of high cost of maintenance and limited service outlets. Skoda has finally taken note of these issues and has endeavoured to reduce the cost of spares, in some cases even by as much as 75 per cent. Add to that, the company is now offering four-year warranty on the Rapid with road-side assist and an optional service package to reduce costs. But, will these changes be enough for the Czech brand to create tremors in a market dominated by Japanese and Korean car makers? With not much difference in cost, it all comes down to the looks and performance.

The new Rapid borrows its design from its larger siblings Octavia and Superb. The design is so similar that if you look at an approaching Rapid, it is hard to determine whether you’re looking at a Rapid or an Octavia at first glance. And that’s a big boost for the sedan. Finally, there are also more design differentiators between the Rapid and its twin – the Volkswagen Vento.

The new identity is thanks to a new chrome-outlined signature butterfly grille and angular headlamps, which were brought in first in the Octavia. The grille is accentuated with a redesigned bumper, that comes with a large, honey-combed lower air intake design, along with the addition of daytime running LED headlamps. The rear design hasn’t changed much; what you get is a slightly tweaked bumper design and tailgate-mounted chrome strip.

Inside, the only major change is the new 6.5-inch touchscreen that comes with USB, AUX and Bluetooth support as well as MirrorLink connectivity. Skoda’s also thrown in a few more features to match up to its rivals such as rain-sensing wipers and electrically-folding door mirrors.

Under the hood, nothing much has changed with the new Rapid, except the option of a reworked diesel engine. The updated version of the 1.5-litre TDI is bundled with a turbocharger that allows the power to go up from 105hp to 110hp. The torque rating hasn’t changed at 250Nm. Step on the pedal of this diesel variant and there is still turbo-lag till the engine crosses 2,000 rpm. Past that mark, there is enough power to work with through the gears.

The steering lacks feedback, though it doesn’t feel inept while tackling corners. A relatively pliant suspension in the Rapid offers a comfortable ride, handling most bumps on the road with ease. One of the biggest drawbacks in performance however, is the noise levels of the engines. Not just the diesel. but even the petrol engine generates considerable noise at low revs that cannot be ignored inside the car’s cabin.

With the new Rapid, Skoda has made a strong attempt at moving out of VW’s shadow. This finally doesn’t look like it has been badge-engineered. It doesn’t hurt to know that the new Rapid now also gets a good warranty program. With air bags and ABS standard across the range and focus on the overall build quality, Skoda has made the new Rapid an excellent option. The car falls in a highly competitive segment where its rivals have a stronghold for years. But, this could turn out to be Skoda’s best bet yet.